(Images: Courtney Cushing Kiernat)
In the summer of 2025, as Andrea Bubula drove past a “For Lease” sign near the corner of Hennepin and Franklin avenues, an idea began to take shape. She realized that the spacious location, with its stark white walls and soaring ceilings, was more than an empty storefront. It was a blank canvas for her dream of starting a gallery.
In December, she toured the space with her colleague Muriel Lang, now the gallery manager. Three months later, they officially opened the doors to Lowry Hill Gallery, 1009 W. Franklin Ave.
“So many things were right about this location: the visibility, the high traffic and the fact that it sits on the edge of a residential neighborhood,” Bubula said. “Starting a gallery isn’t an easy decision, but I believe in this location and the work.”
Bubula and Lang officially opened the gallery March 7 with a reception that drew hundreds of visitors eager to see the art and welcome the new addition to Uptown.
“I didn’t know if we would have 100 people or 300,” Bubula said. “So when people started coming, many that I knew from my life in the art community, it felt affirming. I felt that they were here to celebrate this bright future.”
The gallery debuted with exhibitions by two Twin Cities artists: Kirsten Tradowsky, whose paintings reanimate vintage snapshots found at estate sales and flea markets, and Charles Lyon, whose vibrant oils capture shifting light and “optimistic color” in the Midwestern landscape.
Exhibitions will rotate every six weeks, focusing on Minnesota and regional artists who specialize in representational work depicting recognizable people, places or things. Lowry Hill Gallery works with more than 40 artists representing a wide range of styles and techniques.
Bubula hopes people will make a habit of visiting and that the gallery feels welcoming to everyone.
“You don’t need to be an art buyer to enjoy visiting a gallery,” Bubula said. “I want people to stop by on their way to Sebastian Joe’s for ice cream, or maybe they’re just walking by out of curiosity. I invite them to come in and experience it. We want this to be an easy, engaging environment where the neighborhood feels comfortable.”
Bubula hopes that as visitors explore, they will respond to the work and decide to bring art into their lives, whether they are seasoned collectors or first-time buyers.
“Living with art changes the way you live in your space. Once you have it in your home, if you take it away, there’s a void.”
— Andrea Bubula
“If there’s something that resonates with you after you visit, maybe you can’t stop thinking about the little painting in the corner, then listen to that,” she said. “Living with art changes the way you live in your space. Once you have it in your home, if you take it away, there’s avoid.”
Bubula also hopes the gallery will contribute to a broader renaissance in Uptown as restau- rants and businesses begin opening again to serve nearby neighborhoods. She hopes the gallery will add creativity and beauty to the community.
“To be so well received by the neighbors means a lot to me. I really have felt it,” she said. “Whenever someone stops in, even just out of curiosity, I pinch myself. I can’t believe I get to do this here, and I don’t take this warm reception for granted.”
Lowry Hill Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. During warmer months, the gallery will also host evening events that are free and open to the public.
Brian Lucas is a regular contributor. He lives in Kenwood.
